Author Topic: 2008 Team USA (Read 2912 times)

Mvpbowler · « **on:** September 18, 2007, 08:58:00 AM »

Ok, let me get this straight. After reading the PBA site and Bowl.com is this true?!

Each Male and Female side:
Top 2 after qualifying are on the team
4 players from last year that were given 2 year exempt status are on the team
4 PBA/former PWBA members are automatically accepted on the team, without bowling at all?!?! Granted they have to submit resumes and be selected, but still don't have to throw 1 ball during the Team USA Trials?!?!
2 Other bowlers that BOWLED the trials are selected by the selection committee

So you have 12 members of Team USA on each the Male and Female Side.. Now it gets fun

So why would someone pay money to travel to Las Vegas, to bowl a tournament that they really don't get any money from, and to have a chance for 4 spots on the team?! Now someone on the PBA forum mentioned why does it have to be about money, no other sports get paid to represent the USA. Well this is true, but no other sport has to PAY to tryout for Team USA. They have eligibility rules and if you are and choose to try out for the team then do it. Granted they won't get paid, but they didn't have to pay either! So let's get down to what really irks me about this! If you aren't the National Amateur Champion, one of the four pros that make the team, or one of the four exempt players from last year why would you bowl? Chances are strongly against you traveling to any tournament now! Basically this becomes even more about politics! Team USA committee SELECTS 4 pros, SELECTS 4 players to get 2 yr exemptions, leaving 4 bowlers to actually bowl their way onto the team... HMM... how nice is that!

This tournament is being held literally a stones throw away from my house, I can see this building from my house and I have no desire to go watch and or even think about bowling it! I as well will be emailing Dave Garber and asking for clarification as to what Kevin Dornberger and the committee were thinking about going this route?!
--------------------
George Palumbo

For all your bowling needs, visit K&K Bowling Services at:
www.BowlingLasVegas.com
Some of the best people in the business.

Edited on 9/18/2007 4:59 PM

SKIDSNAP · « **Reply #16 on:** September 19, 2007, 05:59:30 AM »

George,

The problem you are having is that you are trying to apply a fairness standard to the selesction to a national team. Unlike other nations where the system is 1000 times more political at least here we have the chance to sign up, pay up and if you have the week of your life qualify to make your national team. That with rare exception cannot happen in any other Olympic sport in any other country.

Kevin Dornberger a couple of years ago at the athlete's orientation told the crowd (and I am paraphrasing) the goal here is to put the what "we" (Team USA) feels is the best team possible on the lanes. If you don't like our methods tough... you do not have to participate in the process. This is not about fairness this is about winning.

Their operating strategy is that for bowling to get Olympic representation the "best bowlers in the world" must be able to represent their countries. That would be professionals.

Logistically the schedule this year does not allow for the exempt pros to shoe up with everbody else and compete. They would have to move the Team USA trials to the PBA off-season. I personally feel that even if they are going to get selected they should show up, shoe up, and bowl the 36 games like all of the other competitors.

SKIDSNAP · « **Reply #17 on:** September 19, 2007, 06:01:40 AM »

adn Yep I am talking about Robert Smith

BabyHammer · « **Reply #18 on:** September 19, 2007, 06:40:07 AM »

I dont agree with it personally.....

But i do agree when it comes to fielding the best team possible. I live in germany (military) and i love to see Team USA kick everyone elses tail....so if other teams will have Pro's on them, then we will too, but that dosent always guarantee victory.....Look at the Dream Team in Basketball....we barely got a medal!

I have competed in the USA trials (2006)....its tough enough just to make it to match play, but to only reduce the amount of people that make it, dosent make a whole lot of sense to me, i think it will hurt participation in the long run. hopefully this will only be a trial basis type of conclusion

Mvpbowler · « **Reply #19 on:** September 19, 2007, 01:03:33 PM »

So just hand pick the team!! Get it over with, if it is about winning that much. Recruit and hand pick em
--------------------
George Palumbo

For all your bowling needs, visit K&K Bowling Services at:
www.BowlingLasVegas.com
Some of the best people in the business.

Platinum Bowler · « **Reply #20 on:** September 19, 2007, 01:22:29 PM »

I agree George. I have never bowled the Qualifier, but every year I have heavily thought about bowling it, but just never end up going for certain reasons (i.e. expenses, desire). Once again I was really thinking about finally bowling it, and I was probably closer to ever on finally making my debut with the move to Vegas, and it now being so much closer for me. But then this comes up, and it just changes everything. I agree with having pros, to have the best to represent us, but like you said, why even have a qualifier? I know that if I were to bowl, that I would have to place in the top two spots to make the team, because there is no way that they would pick me over someone else who is/has been on the team. Oh well, that is life I guess. The only cool thing that I could think of this, is say someone "new" makes the team, and now they are team members with other pros (most likely Barnes and Jones), and will get to know them. Thats a plus, haha.
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B-Car

Author Topic: 2008 Team USA (Read 2912 times)

Mvpbowler

2008 Team USA

SKIDSNAP

Re: 2008 Team USA

SKIDSNAP

Re: 2008 Team USA

BabyHammer

Re: 2008 Team USA

Mvpbowler

Re: 2008 Team USA

Platinum Bowler

Re: 2008 Team USA